Inductees

If you ever run out of fishing stories, don’t worry. Don Berry is sure to have plenty.

“I grew up around every farmer’s pond in Advance (in southeast Missouri), and my dad allowed me to drive his pickup on the gravel roads and I climbed every fence I could to get to a pond and fish,” Berry proudly said.

“I also used to sneak off every time we went to visit my grandfather and grandmother and run about a quarter of a mile to a nearby creek to fish,” Berry added. “My mom was in a hurry once and used a willow switch on me when I failed to come when she called.”

That love for fishing only grew, to the point that Berry became one of the sport’s biggest advocates. Which is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Berry with the Class of 2021.

This year marks Year 21 since Berry founded Don Berry Pro Fishing LLC Productions. He hosts “Don Berry’s Fishin’ Radio Show” on 96.9 FM and 99.9 FM in Springfield and also enhanced the company with ReSpoolin’ Magazine, a fishing magazine, where he wrote numerous fishing articles.

Additionally, in 2007, he established Ozark Mountain Team Trail, which has paid back more than $2 million in cash and prizes to fishing tournament anglers.

However, that’s merely scratching the surface when understanding Berry’s passion for fishing.

This is a man who has learned to fish in farm ponds, rivers and lakes and found a voice in the sport, too. Ask about lures or rods and reels or any number of techniques, and Berry can probably offer some sage advice, as radio listeners can attest.

The thought of a fishing radio show came about in 2000. In the early 2000s, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Willard Public Schools and retired in 2002, when he went full-time with Central Pro-Am Association, a fishing circuit with a magazine and a radio show.

He had started the Fishin’ Radio Show in 2000 when he began working for CPAA, whose owner, Ernie Daughtery, allowed him to keep the show when he left the organization a few years later after inheriting a family’s farm following his mother-in-law’s passing.

Berry kept the radio show and developed Don Berry Pro Fishing LLC, with the show renamed to Don Berry’s Fishing Radio Show. His sons, Scott and Sutton, have been co-hosts over the years, too.

“We started out just talking to local anglers and it evolved into having the top national professional anglers as weekly guests,” Berry said, counting 800-plus guests to date. “We now have the top MLF, FLW and BASS pros as weekly guest on the radio show.”

Even better, Berry and his sons started the Ozark Mountain Team Trail Tournament circuit in 2007. Along the way, they picked up numerous sponsors.

“ReSpoolin’ Magazine was a dream that I had because it was a way to promote the anglers who were fishing the OMTT,” Berry said. “We featured the winners of our tournaments in the magazine and it gave me a way to continue to write fishing articles. … Writing has always been easy for me and it went right along with fishing and promoting anglers.”

It’s no wonder, though, that Berry knew how to work hard to find success. He played for Advance’s Carroll Cookson (MSHOF 1997) before going on to play at the University of the Ozarks. He later served as a basketball coach, counselor and administrator in the Van Buren and Willard school districts. At Van Buren, his 1978 team was 27-1.

Berry was inducted into the Willard High School Hall of Fame as the “Voice of the Willard Tigers,” and for starting the Willard Four State Tournament and promoting fishing. Back then, he used to haul his boat to school and then hit Stockton Lake later.

“I owe everything to my parents, who have gone on, for raising me up right in a loving family,” Berry said. “I also owe Coach Cookson, as he instilled discipline and built character in me, made me believe in myself and that I could do whatever I wanted.”

More so, he cannot thank his wife, LaVeda, and their entire family enough for their support.

“Thanks to all my family, friends, mentors, and idols,  I have been on the greatest journey a man could ever travel on,” Berry said. “I look forward to the days to come and cherish the days gone by. Keep Fishin’ and Keep Catchin!”